49ers: Creating San Francisco's ideal starting offense in 2019

San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting offense in 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Halfback: Jerick McKinnon

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk

San Francisco’s running back situation can be described by two words: banged up. Despite the ACL injury suffered by Jerick McKinnon at the end of the preseason, and a seemingly never-ending week-to-week slate of injuries to No. 2 tailback Matt Breida, the 49ers still managed the league’s 13th best rush offense.

That’s commendable, considering the multitude and severity of injuries.

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Hopefully healthy in 2019, one would expect Kyle Shanahan to alternate between McKinnon and Breida as his two primary ball carriers. McKinnon, more of the outside pass-catching option, will wind up seeing the majority of starts. Yet Breida, who’s the more natural runner of the two, will get his share of snaps, too.

This back and forth should serve as a good means to keep both runners healthy over the course of a 16-game season.